| Alias = The Lion of Lannister<br>The Old Lion<br>The Great Lion of the Rock

+

| Alias = The great lion of the rock{{ref|ASOS|24}}<br>The old lion{{ref|AFFC|2}}

−

| Title = Lord of [[Casterly Rock]]<br>Shield of [[Lannisport]]<br>[[Warden of the West]]<br>[[Hand of the King]]<br>Savior of the City <small>(of King's Landing)</small>

+

| Title = [[Lord of Casterly Rock]]{{Ref|AGOT|56}}<br>[[Shield of Lannisport]]{{Ref|AGOT|56}}<br>[[Warden of the West]]{{Ref|AGOT|56}}<br>[[Hand of the King]]{{Ref|AGOT|56}}<br>[[Savior of the City]] <small>(of King's Landing)</small>{{Ref|ACOK|65}}<br>[[Knight|Ser]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}

[[File:Tywin-Lannister.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Tywin Lannister as depicted in the [[Game of Thrones|TV series]]]]

+

'''Tywin Lannister''' is Lord of [[Casterly Rock]], Shield of [[Lannisport]], and [[Warden of the West]]. The head of [[House Lannister]], Tywin is one of the most powerful lords in [[Westeros]], and he is the father of Queen [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]], Ser [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] of the [[Kingsguard]], and [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]]. In the television adaptation ''[[Game of Thrones]]'', Tywin is portrayed by [[w:Charles Dance|Charles Dance]].

−

'''Tywin Lannister''' is Lord of [[Casterly Rock]], Shield of [[Lannisport]] and [[Warden of the West]]. The head of [[House Lannister]], Tywin is one of the most powerful lords in [[Westeros]], and is the father of [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]], [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]], and [[Tyrion Lannister]]. He loves his children Jaime and Cersei, but despises Tyrion. This is partly because Tyrion is deformed, but also Tywin blames his son for causing his beloved wife [[Joanna Lannister|Joanna]]'s death during his birth, as well as for shaming the family name with his frequent whoring.

Tywin is a tall, slender, broad-shouldered man in his fifties. His arms are thin but muscled. Tywin has kept his head shaved ever since his golden hair{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}} started going bald, but he grows out bushy golden side-whiskers. Tywin has pale green eyes flecked with gold.{{ref|AGOT|56}}{{ref|ACOK|30}}{{ref|ASOS|4}}{{ref|ADWD|8}}

−

==Character and Appearance==

+

Tywin is a calculating, intelligent, politically astute, ruthless, and controlling man. He dedicates his life and efforts towards maintaining the Lannisters' prestige, and ensuring [[House Lannister]] is respected, or at least feared.{{ref|AGOT|31}} Tywin is a proven battle commander{{ref|AGOT|55}} who leads from the rear,{{ref|AGOT|62}}{{ref|ACOK|59}}{{ref|ASOS|39}} and he has a powerful presence combined with an intimidating gaze.{{ref|AFFC|7}} He is harsh with betrayal.{{ref|ASOS|37}} According to his sister [[Genna Lannister|Genna]], Tywin mistrusts laughter because of how his father, Lord [[Tytos Lannister|Tytos]], had been laughed at.{{ref|AFFC|33}}

−

:''See also [[:Category:Images of Tywin Lannister|this collection of images]]''

Tywin Lannister is a calculating, intelligent, politically astute, ruthless, and controlling man. Tywin dedicated his life and efforts into maintaining the Lannisters' prestige, ensuring House Lannister is respected or at least feared. He is a proven battle commander and politician and has a very powerful presence combined with an unflinching gaze that can make lesser men swiftly turn away.

−

Tywin is a tall, slender, broad-shouldered man in his fifties. He has kept his head shaved ever since he started going bald, but grows out bushy golden side-whiskers and has green eyes flecked with gold. In battle, he wears deep crimson armor highlighted with gold, with a cloth-of-gold cape.{{Ref|aGoT|56}}

+

Though ruthless, Tywin Lannister is an able and shrewd ruler who brought great prosperity during his tenure as the King's Hand. He is especially talented at the raising of funds, leading to a persistent jest that he must "shit gold."{{Ref|ACOK|30}} Tywin is more respected than loved in the [[westerlands]], and he is remembered in [[King's Landing]] for [[Sack of King's Landing|the Sack]].{{ref|AFFC|8}}

Tywin loves his elder children, Queen [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] and Ser [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]], but despises [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]]. This is partly because Tyrion is a [[dwarf]], but also Tywin blames his youngest son for causing his beloved wife [[Joanna Lannister|Joanna]]'s death during his birth, as well as for shaming the family name with his frequent whoring. Tywin often relies on his brother, Ser [[Kevan Lannister]].{{ref|ASOS|32}}{{ref|AFFC|33}} Ser [[Addam Marbrand]] is said to be Tywin's most daring commander.{{ref|ACOK|38}} Genna's husband, [[Emmon Frey]], is terrified of his brother-in-law.{{ref|ASOS|1}}{{ref|AFFC|33}}

+

+

Tywin's steel plate armor is enameled in deep crimson and highlighted with gold, and its rondels are golden sunburts. Tywin's heavy cloth-of-gold greatcloak is clasped with gold miniature lionesses, and his greathelm is decorated with a roaring lion with ruby eyes.{{Ref|AGOT|62}}{{ref|ACOK|65}} He also owns a thick ermine cloak.{{ref|ACOK|38}} Tywin's longsword has a gold pommel.{{ref|ACOK|30}} His charger is a stallion{{Ref|AGOT|62}} with its own gilded armor.{{ref|ACOK|65}} The destrier has a blanket with enameled crimson scales and gilded crinet and chamfron,{{ref|ACOK|38}} as well as crimson silk bardings decorated with the lion of the Lannisters.{{ref|ACOK|65}}

==History==

==History==

===Early life===

===Early life===

−

Tywin was born to [[Tytos Lannister]]. Not much is known of Tywin’s childhood, but his early years were formative ones, shaping his mind and resolve for the life that lay ahead of him. Tywin was forced to watch his mighty house nearly brought to ruin through his father's actions. His father while a gentle and amiable man was also weak willed and eager to please, loans went unpaid and his bannermen did what they pleased mocking him in their cups or openly defying him. Perhaps the most important moment for Tywin was the realization of what power meant, which was driven home when his father, tried to quell Lord Tarbeck, his most disloyal bannermen by having him imprisoned. Lord Tarbeck's wife responded by capturing three Lannisters and threatening to harm them if her husband was not returned. Tywin counseled his father to send Lord Tarbeck back to his Lady in three pieces, one for every Lannister captured, but Tytos was a gentler man than that, and he caved in to Lady Tarbecks demands further weakening the position of their house.{{Ref|aSoS|44}}

+

[[File:Young-Tywin.jpg|250px|right|thumb|Tywin as a boy with his father [[Tytos Lannister|Tytos]] as depicted by Magali Villeneuve in ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'']]

+

+

Tywin was the first born of [[Tytos Lannister]] and [[Jeyne Marbrand]]. According to legend, the baby bit the finger of his grandsire, Lord [[Gerold Lannister]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}}

+

+

Lord Tytos agreed to marry his daughter [[Genna Lannister|Genna]] to [[Emmon Frey]], the second son of Lord [[Walder Frey]], just to please the [[Lord of the Crossing]]. The betrothal was announced at a feast in {{Date|252}}, with most of the [[westerlands|western]] lords in attendance. Upon the announcement, Lord [[Roger Reyne]] left the hall in anger and [[Ellyn Reyne]] laughed aloud. Only the ten-year-old Tywin spoke out against the wedding because he thought it an uneven match.{{Ref|AFFC|32}}

+

+

Shortly after that incident, Tytos sent Tywin to [[King's Landing]] to serve as a royal page and cupbearer at King [[Aegon V Targaryen]]'s court, where Tywin befriended the young Prince [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys Targaryen]] and [[Steffon Baratheon]], the heir to [[Storm's End]].{{ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}{{ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}} His cousin, [[Joanna Lannister]], also served at the royal court as a companion and lady-in-waiting to Princess [[Rhaella Targaryen]] since {{date|259}}.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}

+

+

During the [[War of the Ninepenny Kings]] in {{date|260}}, eleven thousand westermen under the leadership Tywin's uncle, Ser [[Jason Lannister (son of Gerold)|Jason Lannister]], were sent to fight beside other forces of the [[Iron Throne]] in the [[Stepstones]]. Tywin, who was already a [[knight]], joined the Lannister force, as did his brothers [[Kevan Lannister|Kevan]] and [[Tygett Lannister|Tygett]] as squires. The young Prince Aerys served as a squire during the war and when he won his knighthood, Tywin was granted the honor of knighting his friend.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}

−

As a result of his father's follies Tywin Lannister never laughed as he mistrusted laughter, hearing too much of it directed at his father and House Lannister in his youth. Tywin also seldom smiled when he was young and never smiled again after his wife's death.{{ref|AFFC|33}}

+

===Reynes and Tarbecks===

+

Since Lord [[Tytos Lannister]] was a weak ruler who was taken advantage of by his bannermen, Tywin and his brothers sought to restore the prestige of [[House Lannister]] after their return from the [[Stepstones]]. Tytos protested feebly before returning to [[Tytos Lannister's first mistress|his mistress]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}}

−

In his youth Tywin had been a friend and companion at court of [[Aerys II Targaryen|Prince Aerys]], whilst his cousin, [[Joanna Lannister]], was a companion and lady-in-waiting to [[Rhaella Targaryen|Princess Rhaella]].<ref>[[A World of Ice and Fire]]</ref>

+

Tywin demanded repayment of gold his father lent out, and those who could not repay immediately had to send a hostage to [[Casterly Rock]] until their debt was settled. Ser [[Kevan Lannister]] was given command of five hundred veterans knights tasked with ridding the [[westerlands]] of robber knights and outlaws. Ser [[Harys Swyft]], the [[Knight of Cornfield]], surrendered his daughter [[Dorna Swyft|Dorna]] into Kevan's custody, but [[Roger Reyne]], [[Lord of Castamere]], reportedly laughed at Tywin's edicts. When Lord [[Walderan Tarbeck]] of [[Tarbeck Hall]] rode to confront Tytos, who was not present at the Rock, the young Tywin ordered Walderan imprisoned for disloyalty. Walderan's wife [[Ellyn Reyne|Ellyn]] responded by seizing Tywin's cousin [[Stafford Lannister|Stafford]] and two [[House Lannister of Lannisport|Lannisters]] of [[Lannisport]]. Lord Tytos ordered the hostages to be exchanged and forgave [[House Tarbeck]]'s debt to [[House Lannister]].{{Ref|AFFC|44}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}}

−

===In power===

+

Late in {{Date|261}} Tywin provoked Houses [[House Reyne|Reyne]] and Tarbeck by ordering that Roger and Walderan appear at Casterly Rock to answer for their crimes. When the accused instead renounced their allegiance to House Lannister, Tywin raised an army without his lordly father's leave. Tywin defeated Walderan in battle and then destroyed Tarbeck Hall, with Ellyn dying during its collapse. Tywin then defeated Roger, who fled back to [[Castamere]]. Instead of waiting for the subterranean castle to surrender, Tywin ended the [[Reyne-Tarbeck revolt]] by diverting a nearby stream into Castamere, drowning the Reynes within.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}}

−

House Lannister's reputation was low because of Tywin's weak father, Tytos.{{Ref|aSoS|66}} Tywin had to take ruthless steps to rectify the situation restoring the family honor and fortune from its near ruin. Tywin took upon himself the task of putting down his two most unruly houses, [[House Tarbeck]] and [[House Reyne]], for their [[Reyne-Tarbeck Rebellion|defiance]]. He did so with ruthless efficiency, destroying both houses entirely so that their lines were ended, leaving their ruined and shattered castles as a mute testimony to the fate that awaits those who scorn the power of [[Casterly Rock]].{{Ref|aSoS|19}} Such was the brutality of Tywin's destruction of House Reyne that a song called "[[The Rains of Castamere]]" was written as a tribute to the event. Indeed when Lord [[House Farman|Farman]] of [[Faircastle]] grew truculent Tywin sent a messenger with a lute instead of a letter and once the "Rains of Castamere" was played Lord Farman caused no further trouble.

+

The ruined castles were left as reminders of the fate that awaits those who scorn the power of [[Casterly Rock]],{{Ref|ASOS|19}} and "[[The Rains of Castamere]]" was written as a tribute to the event.{{ref|ASOS|19}} When Lord [[House Farman|Farman]] of [[Faircastle]] grew truculent years later, Tywin had an envoy perform the song with a lute; Lord Farman caused no further trouble after hearing the message.{{ref|ASOS|19}}

−

When Tywin's father Tytos finally keeled over of a burst heart while climbing a flight of steps to visit his mistress,{{Ref|aFfC|3}} Tywin became the Lord of Casterly Rock and [[Warden of the West]]. Upon his father's death Tywin found his father's mistress trying on one of his late mother's gowns. A common-born woman and the daughter of a chandler, the mistress dominated Tytos utterly, ordering about the household knights and dismissing servants and helping herself to his late wife's jewelery.{{Ref|aSoS|66}} Tywin had her stripped naked and forced the sobbing woman to [[Walk of Shame|walk the streets]] of [[Lannisport]] to confess to every man she met that she was a thief and a harlot before banishing her from the [[Westerlands]].{{Ref|aFfC|3}}

+

===Hand of the King===

+

[[File:Tywin and Aerys.jpg|thumb|350px|Tywin is appointed as [[Hand of the King]] to [[Aerys II Targaryen]] in ''[[Game of Thrones]]'']]

−

Tywin married his cousin [[Joanna Lannister]] and from all reports the marriage was a happy one. [[Genna Lannister]] said that Tywin smiled on the day he wed Joanna.{{Ref|aFfC|33}} It was said that though Tywin ruled the Seven Kingdoms ([[Hand of the King|as Hand]]) he was ruled at home by his lady wife. Joanna gave him twins, [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] and [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] that he hoped would one day be Queen of Westeros and Lord of Casterly Rock, but then disaster struck when his beloved wife died giving birth to [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]], considered a hideous monster. Tywin was devastated by Joanna's untimely death and took no further wife. [[Gerion Lannister]] once told his nephew Tyrion that the best part of Tywin died when Joanna did.{{Ref|aSoS|38}}

+

Upon the death of King [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen]] in {{date|262}}, the newly-crowned King [[Aerys II Targaryen]] retired the cautious [[Edgar Sloane]] as [[Hand of the King]]. Aerys choose his friend Tywin as the new Hand, impressed by the ruthlessness demonstrated in the [[Reyne-Tarbeck revolt]].{{ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}} Ser Tywin was the youngest man to yet serve as Hand.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}}

Tywin's ability came to the attention of King [[Aerys II Targaryen]], who, impressed with the young and capable heir to Casterly Rock, appointed Tywin, who was twenty at that time, to be his [[Hand of the King]]. Tywin proved himself a brilliant administrator and held the post for twenty years of peace and plenty. Some people joked it was he and not the king who really ruled the land. It ended when Aerys' increasing paranoia and jealousy drove the two into several bitter disagreements. According to Ser [[Barristan Selmy]], Aerys lusted after Tywin's wife when she was alive<ref>Aerys's own unhappy marriage was arranged</ref> which caused further friction between the two. Tension increased at the [[Tourney for King Aerys II]] in [[Lannisport]] in {{Date|276}} when Aerys refused Tywin's offer to betroth [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] to his heir, Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar]]. In {{date|281}} Aerys raised [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]], Tywin's fifteen-year old son, to the [[Kingsguard]], robbing Tywin of his prized heir; Tywin understood that the king’s motivations were to make Jaime a hostage to use against his father. Upset at Aerys's treatment of Jaime at the [[Tourney of Harrenhal]], Tywin resigned his position on some thin pretext and returned to [[Casterly Rock]].

−

===Robert's Rebellion and aftermath===

+

With Tywin proving himself to be a brilliant administrator, the [[Seven Kingdoms]] prospered during the first decade of Aerys's rule.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}} Tywin covered King Jaehaerys's debts to the [[Iron Bank]] of [[Braavos]] with gold from [[Casterly Rock]]. He gained the loyalty of many [[lord]]s by repealing reforms enacted by Aerys's grandsire, King [[Aegon V Targaryen]], and he supported the merchants of [[King's Landing]], [[Lannisport]], and [[Oldtown]].{{ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}

When [[Robert's Rebellion]] began, Lord Tywin sat at Casterly Rock and waited, ignoring King Aerys's orders to arm, taking no side until after [[Robert Baratheon]]'s decisive victory at the [[Battle of the Trident]]. After the battle, Tywin mustered his forces and rode for the capital of [[King's Landing]]. After Aerys was convinced by Grand Maester [[Pycelle]] that Tywin had come to aid him, he ordered the gates of the city opened for Tywin. The Westerlanders proceeded to [[Sack of King's Landing|sack the city]]. Aerys was killed by Jaime before Tywin's forces arrived at the Red Keep, but [[Gregor Clegane]] and [[Amory Lorch]], knights sworn to Tywin and under Tywin's orders, slew Rhaegar's wife [[Elia Martell|Elia of Dorne]] and her two young children, [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Rhaegar)|Rhaenys]] and [[Aegon Targaryen|Aegon]]. Tywin wrapped the bodies in crimson Lannister cloaks to better conceal the blood and presented them to Robert Baratheon as a token of fealty. When asked by his son Tyrion years later why Tywin did not let Robert bloody his own hands, Tywin's replied:

−

{{Quote|We had come late to Robert's cause. It was necessary to demonstrate our loyalty. When I laid those bodies before the throne, no man could doubt that we had forsaken House Targaryen forever. And Robert's relief was palpable. As stupid as he was, even he knew that Rhaegar's children had to die if his throne was ever to be secure. Yet he saw himself as a hero, and heroes do not kill children.{{Ref|aSoS|53}}}}

+

In {{date|263}} Tywin married his cousin [[Joanna Lannister]];{{ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}} [[Genna Lannister]] said that her brother smiled on the day he wed Joanna.{{Ref|AFFC|33}} According to Ser [[Barristan Selmy]] of the [[Kingsguard]], Aerys lusted after Tywin's wife during the bedding [[custom]].{{ref|ADWD|43}} Queen [[Rhaella Targaryen]] dismissed Joanna from her service, so the young bride returned to [[Casterly Rock]]. In {{date|266}} Joanna gave birth to twins, [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] and [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]].{{ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}

−

While earning House Lannister the hatred of both [[House Martell]] of [[Dorne]] and the population of [[King's Landing]], this act also secured the marriage of the new king, Robert Baratheon, to Tywin's daughter [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]], whose proposed betrothal to Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] had been rejected by Aerys much to Tywin's bitter disappointment. Cersei's marriage to the new, young, and popular king did much to make up for Tywin's earlier disappointment.

+

When Lord [[Tytos Lannister]] keeled over of a burst heart in {{Date|267}} while climbing a flight of steps to visit [[Tytos Lannister's second mistress|his second mistress]],{{Ref|AFFC|3}} Ser Tywin succeeded his father as [[Lord of Casterly Rock]] and [[Warden of the West]]. Upon his return to the Rock, Tywin forced the mistress on a [[walk of atonement]] through [[Lannisport]] before banishing her from the [[westerlands]].{{Ref|aSoS|66}}{{Ref|AFFC|3}}{{ref|ADWD|65}} Aerys and Tywin ruled the realm from Casterly Rock that year.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}

−

After the rebellion, Tywin returned to [[Casterly Rock]], where he continued to serve as Lord and Warden of the West. In {{date|289}} Lord [[Balon Greyjoy]] began the [[Greyjoy Rebellion]] against King Robert by burning the Lannister fleet anchored at Lannisport. After the defeat of the Greyjoys, Tywin rebuilt his fleet<ref>So Spake Martin: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/The_Lannister_Fleet The Lannister Fleet]</ref> and hosted another [[tourney at Lannisport]]. Due to King Robert's financial mismanagement of the realm, as well as his own new connection to the throne by marriage, Lord Tywin frequently lent money to the crown, placing the court in King's Landing in debt of over three million [[Currency|gold dragons]] to House Lannister.

+

Relations were frayed between the king and his Hand when they returned to King's Landing in {{date|268}}, and Aerys began to overrule many of Tywin's decisions and appointments. Tywin offered to resign after Aerys insulted Joanna at the [[Anniversary Tourney]] in {{date|272}}, but Aerys refused the resignation.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}} Disaster struck in {{date|273}} when Joanna died giving birth to [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]], a [[dwarf]] considered a hideous monster. Tywin was devastated by her untimely death and took no further wife. [[Gerion Lannister]] once told his nephew Tyrion that the best part of Tywin died when Joanna did,{{Ref|ASOS|38}} and Tywin has blamed Tyrion for Joanna's death.{{ref|ASOS|4}}

−

Though ruthless, Tywin Lannister is an able and shrewd ruler who brought great prosperity during his tenures as the King's Hand. He is especially talented at the raising of funds, leading to a persistent jest that he must "shit gold."{{Ref|aCoK|30}} The common folk of Lannisport cheered twice as loud for Tywin at the [[Tourney for King Aerys II]] as they did for their actual king. Even so, Tywin is more respected than loved in the [[Westerlands]] and he became despised in [[King's Landing]] after his house treacherously sacked the city.

+

Some people joked it was Tywin and not the king who really ruled the land.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}} When Ser [[Ilyn Payne]], the captain of [[House Lannister guards|Tywin's guards]], made such a comment, Aerys had the knight's tongue removed.{{ref|AFFC|27}} Tywin once visited [[Lys]] while serving as Hand.<ref>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Mercy (The Winds of Winter)|Mercy]]</ref>

−

===Children===

+

During the [[tournament in honor of Viserys's birth]] in Lannisport in {{Date|276}}, the [[smallfolk]] of Lannisport cheered twice as loud for Tywin as they did for their king. Tension increased during the tourney when Aerys refused Tywin's offer to betroth Cersei to his heir, Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]], as Aerys considered Tywin to be a servant.{{ref|AFFC|24}} Aerys also refused to allow Jaime to serve as Rhaegar's squire.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}

When Tywin discovered his son [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] wed a common girl, [[Tysha]], which in Tywin's eyes would make the house a laughingstock again, Tywin taught him a sharp lesson. He commanded Tyrion's brother [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] to name her a prostitute and made Tyrion watch as Tywin gave Tysha over to his garrison of guards, having each man pay the girl a silver coin after raping her. He forced Tyrion to do the same but pay the girl a gold coin.{{Ref|aGoT|42}} He earned the enmity of his son forever for that act, but Tywin did not care, for it was on his other children that he placed all his hopes.

−

Tywin later refused to allow Tyrion to travel and see the world as Tywin's brothers had in their youth, fearing he would bring further shame on House Lannister and as a "gift" for Tyrion's sixteenth [[Nameday|nameday]] he put his son in charge of cleaning all the drains of [[Casterly Rock]].{{Ref|aDwD|8}}

+

In {{date|277}}, Tywin advised Aerys against meeting with [[Denys Darklyn]], Lord of [[Duskendale]], over a trade issue, and the king ended up imprisoned by [[House Darklyn]] in the [[Dun Fort]]. In response to the [[Defiance of Duskendale]], Tywin blockaded the town by land and sea. Tywin eventually threatened to storm the town, but Barristan of the Kingsguard was able to infiltrate Duskendale and rescue the king, however.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}

−

When Tyrion became 16-years-old, the official age of adulthood, he believed he would be free to do as he wished. Tywin disillusioned him, replying:

+

In the aftermath of his captivity, Aerys came to believe that Tywin had intended for the king to die at Duskendale and be replaced by Rhaegar, who would then marry Tywin's daughter, Cersei. When [[Steffon Baratheon]] drowned in the sinking of ''[[Windproud]]'' in [[Shipbreaker Bay]], Aerys feared that the [[Lord of Storm's End]] had somehow been assassinated by Tywin. Aerys decided to only meet with Tywin in the presence of Kingsguard.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}

−

{{Quote|No man is free. Only children and fools think elsewise.{{Ref|aDwD|8}}}}

+

Tywin hoped to betroth Jaime to [[Lysa Arryn|Lysa Tully]], the second daughter of Lord [[Hoster Tully]].{{ref|ASOS|11}} In {{Date|281}}, however, Aerys raised the fifteen-year-old Jaime to the Kingsguard to replace Ser [[Harlan Grandison]], robbing Tywin of his prized heir{{ref|ASOS|44}} and making Jaime a hostage to use against his father.{{ref|AFFC|8}} Pleading illness, Tywin resigned and returned to Casterly Rock. He was replaced as Hand with Lord [[Owen Merryweather]].{{ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}} Tywin chose not to attend the great [[tourney at Harrenhal]] in {{date|281}}.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring}}

−

Though Tywin's children also greatly respect him, none of them have been able to conform to the paths he had laid out for them, which causes many difficulties.{{Ref|aFfC|44}}

When [[Robert's Rebellion]] began, Lord Tywin ignored calls to arms from both King [[Aerys II Targaryen]] and rebels.{{ref|AGOT|12}} After the king dismissed Lord [[Owen Merryweather]], Tywin disapproved of [[Jon Connington]], [[Lord of Griffin's Roost]] and a headstrong friend of Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]], as the new [[Hand of the King]].{{ref|ADWD|Epilogue}}

Tywin took no side until after the [[Battle of the Trident]], in which [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]], [[Lord of Storm's End]], slew Rhaegar. Tywin rode from [[Casterly Rock]] to the capital of [[King's Landing]]. After Aerys was convinced by Grand Maester [[Pycelle]] that Tywin had come to aid him, the king ordered the gates of the city opened for Tywin. His westermen proceeded to [[Sack of King's Landing|sack the city]], however. Aerys was killed by Ser [[Jaime Lannister]] before Tywin's forces arrived at the [[Red Keep]], but [[Gregor Clegane]] and [[Amory Lorch]], knights sworn to Tywin and under Tywin's orders, slew Rhaegar's wife, [[Elia Martell]], and her two young children, [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Rhaegar)|Rhaenys]] and [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon]]. Tywin wrapped the bodies in crimson Lannister cloaks to better conceal the blood{{ref|ACOK|45}} and presented them to Robert as a token of fealty.{{ref|ASOS|53}}

+

+

While earning House Lannister the hatred of both [[House Martell]] of [[Dorne]] and the population of [[King's Landing]], this act led to the marriage of the new king, Robert I Baratheon, to Tywin's daughter, [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]]. Tywin offered Targaryen loyalists like [[Alliser Thorne]] and [[Jaremy Rykker]] the choice between [[taking the black]] or facing execution.{{ref|AGOT|21}}

−

Believed to be responsible for hiring an assassin to murder [[Bran Stark]] while he lay in a coma, Tywin's son [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] is arrested at the [[inn at the crossroads]] by [[Catelyn Tully]], the wife of [[Eddard Stark]], current [[Hand of the King]]. She takes him to her sister [[Lysa Tully|Lysa]], at the [[Eyrie]], for trial. Though Tywin does not care about Tyrion's welfare, he sees the arrest and kidnapping as a direct slight on House Lannister's honor which he will not tolerate. In response Tywin sends Ser [[Gregor Clegane]] and his men, disguised as brigands, to sack and pillage various villages and hamlets across the [[Riverlands]], Catelyn's homeland.{{Ref|aGoT|43}} These raids mark one of the seminal points in what is to become the [[War of the Five Kings]].

After [[Robert's Rebellion]], Lord Tywin returned to [[Casterly Rock]], where he continued to serve as [[Warden of the West]].

−

Tywin's aim is to draw Eddard out of King's Landing, capture him, and exchange him for the freedom of his son.{{ref|ASOS|17}} Eddard, however, is injured in a skirmish on the streets of King's Landing with Tywin's son [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] (Jaime was unaware of Tywin's plans) and sends Lord [[Beric Dondarrion]] in his stead. When Beric's forces reached the [[Mummer's Ford]], soldiers of Tywin's and Gregor's [[Battle at the Mummer's Ford|attacked from all sides]], routing Dondarrion's host. Dondarrion himself is mortally wounded, though he would be revived by [[Thoros of Myr]] and go on to form the [[Brotherhood Without Banners]], which would continually harass the Lannister forces for the duration of the war.

+

When Tywin discovered his son [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] had wed a common girl, [[Tysha]], which in Tywin's eyes would make [[House Lannister]] a laughingstock again, Tywin taught him a sharp lesson. He commanded Tyrion's older brother, Ser [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]], to name Tysha a [[prostitute]] and made Tyrion watch as Tywin gave her over to [[House Lannister guards|his garrison]], having each man pay the girl a silver coin after raping her. He forced Tyrion to do the same but pay Tysha a gold coin.{{Ref|AGOT|42}} Tywin earned the enmity of his son forever for that act, but Tywin did not care, for it was on his other children that he placed all his hopes.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}

As the war gains momentum, Tywin's forces take the majority of the Riverlands and lay siege to [[Riverrun]] before meeting their first real opposition in the [[Battle of the Green Fork]]. Just prior to the battle, Tyrion, having won his freedom from the [[Vale of Arryn]] via [[trial by combat]] and earned the loyalty of many of the [[mountain clans]] along the way, meets with his father. Tywin sends Tyrion and his clansmen into the battle on the left flank, believing the undisciplined men likely to rout, but giving the northern commander, which Tywin believed to be the young and inexperienced [[Robb Stark]], a chance to over-commit and be annihilated.{{Ref|aGoT|62}} The clansmen do not rout, however, and the northern commander is not Robb but instead the more cautious and experienced [[Roose Bolton]]. The battle is a Lannister victory, but it buys enough time for a separate northern force under Robb Stark's command to cross the [[Trident]] at [[The Twins]] and lift the siege of Riverrun, capturing Tywin's other son, [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]], in the process.

−

After the death of King [[Robert Baratheon|Robert]], Tywin is named Hand of the King for his grandson [[Joffrey Baratheon]].{{Ref|aGoT|57}} After the battle, he sends Tyrion to King's Landing to serve as Hand in his stead, and to prepare the city's defenses in anticipation of an attack from one or both of Robert's brothers, [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] and [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]], both of whom have laid claim to the Iron Throne, while Tywin manages the war with [[the North]] and the Riverlands.{{Ref|aGoT|69}}

+

When Tyrion was turning sixteen, Tywin refused to allow him to travel and see the world as Tywin's brothers had in their youth, fearing Tyrion would bring further shame on House Lannister. Tywin instead put his son in charge of the drains and cisterns of [[Casterly Rock]].{{Ref|ADWD|8}}

−

===''A Clash of Kings''===

+

In {{Date|289}}, [[Balon Greyjoy]], [[Lord of the Iron Islands]], began [[Greyjoy's Rebellion]] against King [[Robert I Baratheon]] through the [[burning of the Lannister fleet]] anchored at [[Lannisport]].{{ref|AFFC|18}} After the defeat of the Greyjoys, Tywin rebuilt his fleet<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/The_Lannister_Fleet The Lannister Fleet]</ref> and hosted another [[tourney at Lannisport]].{{ref|ACOK|12}} Tywin sent men in search of [[Gerion Lannister]] after his brother disappeared, but the ''[[Laughing Lion]]'' was not found.{{ref|ADWD|33}}

−

The loss of Riverrun means that Tywin is not able to pursue and destroy Roose Bolton's forces. Instead he marchs south to [[Harrenhal]] while he ponders his next move. When Robb Stark marches from Riverrun and invades the [[Westerlands]], smashing a new Lannister host being raised and trained by [[Stafford Lannister]] at [[Battle of Oxcross|Oxcross]] and turning his forces loose to scour the Westerlands, Tywin leaves Harrenhal and marches his forces west in pursuit. Robb's plan is to lead Tywin's army on a long chase across the Westerlands, bleeding his forces and living off of their lands. However, [[Edmure Tully]], who had been tasked with holding Riverrun but was unaware of Robb's plan, meets Tywin's army in the field in the [[Battle of the Fords]].{{Ref|aCoK|45}}

−

Tywin's forces are bloodied and thrown back, but the delay allows word to reach Tywin that Stannis Baratheon has murdered his brother Renly and laid claim to much of his army, and that he is marching and sailing on King's Landing with an enormous force. Tywin turns his force southeast on a forced march to King's Landing, joining with the newly-allied forces of [[House Tyrell]]. Together they arrive just in time for the waning moments of the [[Battle of the Blackwater]], where they are able to break and drive away the majority of Stannis' army, which had been on the cusp of victory, by taking them in the flank.{{Ref|aSoS|14}} Tywin commands the host's right flank during the battle.{{Ref|aCoK|62}} Tywin is declared Savior of the City by [[Joffrey Baratheon|King Joffrey]].<ref>Which is ironic as Tywin was responsible for the previous Sack of the city during the [[War of the Usurper]]</ref> Tywin's son Tyrion, who had done much for the city's defenses, is critically wounded in the fighting.{{Ref|aSoS|4}}

+

Due to Robert's financial mismanagement of the realm, as well as his own new connection to the throne by marriage, Lord Tywin frequently lent money to the crown, placing the court in King's Landing in debt of over three million [[Currency|gold dragons]] to House Lannister.{{ref|AGOT|20}} Tywin was unsuccessful in three attempts to purchase [[Valyrian steel]] longswords from impoverished lesser houses.{{ref|ASOS|32}}

−

===''A Storm of Swords''===

+

Tywin brought a retinue to King's Landing for the [[tourney on Prince Joffrey's name day]].{{ref|AGOT|25}}

Tywin's timely arrival at the Battle of the Blackwater allows him to take the majority of the credit for the Lannister victory. Tywin assumes his official position as King Joffrey's Hand,{{Ref|aCoK|64}} while giving Tyrion, after his recovery, the position of [[Master of Coin]], which Tyrion sees as a demotion and an insult. Tywin arranges for Tyrion to be wed to [[Sansa Stark]]{{Ref|aSoS|19}} before she can be betrothed to [[Willas Tyrell]], giving him claim over [[Winterfell]] and directly denying Tyrion's ambition to inherit [[Casterly Rock]].{{Ref|aSoS|4}} He also makes plans to find a suitor to marry his widowed daughter, Queen [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]], though they are never realized. He offers her to Willas Tyrell but [[Mace Tyrell]], after being hectored by his mother, [[Olenna Redwyne]], refuses the match. Tywin demands that Tyrion act as if the offer were never made.{{Ref|aSoS|32}}

After learning that Robb Stark has unexpectedly wed [[Jeyne Westerling]] and that [[House Westerling]] has gone over to the Starks, Tywin remains in communication, via raven, with Jeyne's mother [[Sybell Spicer]]. He also communicates with [[Roose Bolton]], who has switched sides to the Lannisters after taking Harrenhal, and Lord [[Lord Walder Frey|Walder Frey]], who sees Robb's marriage to Jeyne as an insult to [[House Frey]], as it breaks a marriage pact Robb had previously made to wed a Frey girl. The [[Red Wedding]] is the direct result of their correspondence, which sees Robb Stark betrayed and murdered along with the vast majority of his host, effectively ending the war with House Lannister the victor.

−

Tywin Lannister has [[Ice]], the [[Valyrian steel]] greatsword of [[Eddard Stark]], melted down and reforged into two longswords as gifts, [[Widow's Wail|one]] for Joffrey on his wedding day and [[Oathkeeper|the other]] to Jaime.{{Ref|aSoS|32}} Not long after, King Joffrey is poisoned and dies at the feast following his wedding to [[Margaery Tyrell]]. Tywin's son Tyrion is falsely accused of the crime, and Tywin agrees to be one of Tyrion's three judges, alongside [[Oberyn Martell]] and [[Mace Tyrell]], at his trial. When it becomes clear that he is going to be found guilty, Tyrion demands trial by combat, and Oberyn surprisingly volunteers to champion him. Cersei, being Tyrion's accuser, selects Ser Gregor Clegane to represent the crown. Gregor, despite being poisoned by Oberyn during the trial, wins the duel, slaying Oberyn, and Tyrion is thus found guilty.{{Ref|aSoS|70}}

+

==Recent Events==

+

===''A Game of Thrones''===

+

Believed to be responsible for hiring [[catspaw|an assassin]] to murder [[Bran Stark]] while he lay in a coma, Tywin's son [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] is arrested at the [[inn at the crossroads]] by [[Catelyn Stark]], the wife of [[Eddard Stark]], the new [[Hand of the King]].{{ref|AGOT|28}} Catelyn takes Tyrion to her sister, [[Lysa Arryn]], at the [[Eyrie]].{{ref|AGOT|34}} Though Tywin does not care about Tyrion's welfare, he sees the arrest and kidnapping as a direct slight on [[House Lannister]]'s honor which he will not tolerate. In response Tywin sends Ser [[Gregor Clegane]] and the [[Mountain's men]], disguised as brigands, to sack and pillage various villages and hamlets across the [[riverlands]], Catelyn's homeland.{{Ref|AGOT|43}}

−

Tywin faces huge political ramifications from the trial. Before slaying Oberyn, Gregor roars his guilt in slaying [[Elia Martell]] and her [[Aegon Targaryen|son]] for all the realm to hear. Tywin fears [[Dorne]] might join [[Stannis Baratheon]], which could prolong the [[War of the Five Kings|war]] for years. He plans on having Gregor executed to appease [[House Martell]], but needs it to be seen to be the [[Ilyn Payne|King's Justice]] who carries out the deed, not poison. Tywin commands [[Pycelle]] to heal Gregor, but Pycelle's efforts prove fruitless.{{Ref|aSoS|72}}

+

Tywin's aim is to draw Lord Stark out of [[King's Landing]], capture him, and exchange him for the freedom of his son.{{Ref|ASOS|17}} Eddard, however, is injured in a skirmish on the streets of the capital with Tywin's other son, Ser [[Jaime Lannister]], who is unaware of Tywin's plans, and Eddard sends Lord [[Beric Dondarrion]] after Gregor in his stead. Soldiers of Tywin and Gregor rout Beric's host in a [[battle at the Mummer's Ford]].{{Ref|AGOT|55}} After the death of King [[Robert I Baratheon]], Tywin is named Hand of the King for his grandson, [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I Baratheon]].{{Ref|AGOT|57}}

−

Awaiting his sentencing, Tyrion is freed from the Red Keep's dungeon by his brother Jaime and a reluctant Varys. During his escape, Jaime reveals the truth about Tyrion's first wife Tysha, saying she was not a whore but a girl just met on the road and Tywin had made Jaime speak the lie to Tyrion. Tyrion is enraged by this and has Varys show him to a ladder that leads directly into the [[Tower of the Hand]], Tywin's residence, Tyrion finds his ex-lover [[Shae]] in Tywin's bed, wearing nothing but his father's golden chain of office. Tyrion strangles her to death with it. He then takes a crossbow from the wall and finds Tywin in the privy and confronts him about Tysha. Tywin remains belligerent, repeatedly calling her a whore, which Tyrion sees as the final insult; shooting him through his bowels with the crossbow, mortally wounding him. Tywin dies while seated on the privy, his bowels loosening in the moment of death causing Tyrion to think as he left his father's body:

{{Quote|But the stink that filled the privy gave ample evidence that the oft-repeated jape about his father was just another lie. Lord Tywin Lannister did not, in the end, shit gold.{{Ref|aSoS|77}}}}

+

While Jaime leads a [[House Lannister|Lannister]] army to victory at the [[Battle in the hills below the Golden Tooth|Golden Tooth]] and [[Battle under the walls of Riverrun|Riverrun]], Tywin and his younger brother, Ser [[Kevan Lannister]] invade the [[riverlands]] with a second Lannister host. [[Fall of Raventree Hall|Raventree]] and [[yielding of Harrenhal|Harrenhal]] fall to the brothers, and Gregor burns [[burning of Stone Hedge|Stone Hedge]] and [[burning of Pinkmaiden Castle|Pinkmaiden]]. Tywin closes off the [[kingsroad]].{{ref|AGOT|55}}{{ref|AGOT|56}} Beric Dondarrion, Lord [[Karyl Vance]], and Ser [[Marq Piper]] continue to harass Tywin's host, however. Tyrion, having won his freedom from the [[Vale of Arryn]] via [[trial by combat]] and earned the loyalty of several [[Vale mountain clans|mountain clans]] along the way, joins Tywin's host at the [[crossroads inn]].{{ref|AGOT|56}}

−

===''A Feast for Crows''===

+

Tywin commands the reserve from the high ground during the [[battle on the Green Fork]]. He has Tyrion and his clansmen serve on the left flank, believing the undisciplined men likely to rout, but giving the northern commander, whom Tywin believes to be the young and inexperienced [[Robb Stark]], a chance to over-commit and be annihilated.{{Ref|aGoT|62}} The clansmen do not rout, however, and the northern commander is actually the cautious and experienced Lord [[Roose Bolton]]. The battle is a Lannister victory, but it buys enough time for a separate northern force under Robb's command to cross the [[Green Fork]] at the [[Twins]].{{ref|AGOT|62}} Although Tywin leads his host on a forced march south,{{ref|AGOT|69}} Robb captures Jaime in the [[battle in the Whispering Wood|Whispering Wood]] and lifts the siege of Riverrun with the [[Battle of the Camps]].{{ref|AGOT|63}}{{Ref|AGOT|69}}

−

After Tywin's body is discovered, it is prepared for a state burial. [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] has the [[House Kettleblack|Kettleblacks]] remove the body of [[Shae]] and swears she will have the tongue removed of any man who mentions Shae was ever there.{{Ref|aFfC|3}} The remains of Lord Tywin are shown for seven days in the [[Great Sept of Baelor]] before making its way west with an entourage of knights and lords from the [[Westerlands]]. The smell of the body is so bad many of the mourners grow sick or faint from being too near. A drying of the mouth also causes Tywin's lips to curl up and make him appear to smile.{{Ref|aFfC|8}} This disturbs Jaime and Cersei, because Tywin Lannister seldom smiled.

−

===''A Dance with Dragons''===

+

Tywin holds a war council of his bannermen at the crossroads inn after learning of Jaime's defeat, and he considers Joffrey's execution of Eddard Stark in the capital to be madness. Tywin sends Tyrion to King's Landing to serve as Hand in his stead, control the small council and Joffrey, and to prepare the city's defenses in anticipation of an attack from one or both of Robert's brothers, [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] and [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]]. Tywin forbids his son from bringing the whore [[Shae]] with him, however. Meanwhile, Tywin plans to march to Harrenhal to manage the war with the [[north]] and the riverlands. Tywin has Kevan arrange for the riverlands to be reaved by Gregor Clegane, [[Amory Lorch]], and [[Vargo Hoat]].{{Ref|AGOT|69}}

−

Ser [[Kevan Lannister]] thinks of how Tywin would never have dreamed his golden daughter [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] would experience a similar fate, a [[Walk of Shame|walk of shame]], as Tywin made their father [[Tytos Lannister|Tytos's]] mistress suffer.{{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

−

==Quotes by Tywin==

+

Renly claims the crown at [[Highgarden]],{{ref|AGOT|69}} while Robb Stark is proclaimed [[King in the North]] at Riverrun.{{ref|AGOT|71}}

−

{{Quote|And dismissing [[Barristan Selmy|Selmy]], where was the sense in that? Yes, the man was old, but the name of Barristan the Bold still has meaning in the realm. He lent honor to any man he served. Can anyone say the same of the [[Sandor Clegane|Hound]]? You feed your dog bones under the table, you do not seat him beside you on the high bench.{{ref|agot|69}}}} — Tywin to [[Tyrion Lannister]]

Tywin angers his daughter, Queen Regent [[Cersei Lannister]], by fortifying [[Harrenhal]] instead of marching to [[King's Landing]].{{ref|ACOK|2}} He occupies [[Kingspyre Tower]] at the great castle.{{ref|ACOK|30}} When Maester [[Tothmure]] receives [[Stannis Baratheon]]'s letter claiming that King [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I Baratheon]] is the bastard son of Cersei and Ser [[Jaime Lannister]], Tywin orders the letter destroyed.{{ref|ACOK|30}} Tywin walks the battlements with the captive Ser [[Wylis Manderly]], and he allows [[House Frey|Frey]] prisoners to be ransomed.{{ref|ACOK|30}} Lannister men in the [[riverlands]] are harassed by the [[brotherhood without banners|outlaw brotherhood]] of Lord [[Beric Dondarrion]], despite Beric having been reported as slain several times.{{ref|ACOK|30}}

Instead of facing Tywin at Harrenhal, [[Robb Stark]], now the [[King in the North]] and [[King of the Trident]], marches from [[Riverrun]] and invades the [[westerlands]]. Robb smashes a new Lannister host being raised and trained by Tywin's cousin, Ser [[Stafford Lannister]], at [[Battle of Oxcross|Oxcross]] and turns his forces loose to scour the westerlands.{{ref|ACOK|39}}

+

With [[Renly Baratheon]] mysteriously killed and the loyalties of his men disputed,{{ref|ACOK|33}}{{ref|ACOK|36}} Tywin leaves Harrenhal and marches his forces west in pursuit of Robb,{{ref|ACOK|38}} gambling that Stannis will be occupied with a lengthy [[siege of Storm's End (299)|siege of Storm's End]].<ref name=T&T>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1044 Tyrion and Tywin], July 27, 1999</ref>{{ref|ACOK|44}} [[Arya Stark]] regrets not having asked [[Jaqen H'ghar]] to assassinate Tywin.{{ref|ACOK|38}} With Tywin gone, the [[Brave Companions]] abandon the Lannister cause and [[fall of Harrenhal|betray Harrenhal]] to Lord [[Roose Bolton]].{{Ref|ACOK|47}} Several servants at Harrenhal are executed at Harrenhal for having aided Tywin during his stay.{{ref|ACOK|64}}

−

{{Quote|Some battles are won with swords and spears, others with quills and ravens.{{Ref|aSoS|4}}}} - Tywin to [[Tyrion Lannister]]

+

Ser [[Edmure Tully]], who has been tasked with holding Riverrun and guarding Robb's rear, gathers the riverlords to prevent Tywin from crossing the [[Red Fork]]. Edmure hopes to trap Tywin between Riverrun and Harrenhal.{{ref|ACOK|39}} Tywin's forces are bloodied in the [[Battle of the Fords]] and thrown back,{{ref|ACOK|45}} but the delay allows word to reach Tywin that Stannis has unexpectedly<ref name=T&T/> taken formidable Storm's End and laid claim to much of Renly's army, and that he is marching and sailing on King's Landing with an enormous force.{{ref|ACOK|42}}{{Ref|ACOK|44}}

+

Tywin turns his host southeast on a forced march to the headwaters of the [[Blackwater Rush]], where he meets Lords [[Mathis Rowan]] and [[Randyll Tarly]] of the newly-allied [[Reach]]. They then join with the forces of Lord [[Mace Tyrell]] at [[Tumbler's Falls]].{{Ref|ASOS|14}} Sailing together on barges down the Blackwater, the Lannisters and [[House Tyrell|Tyrells]] arrive in time for the waning moments of the [[Battle of the Blackwater]], where they break and drive away the majority of Stannis's army, which had been on the cusp of victory, by taking them in the flank.{{Ref|ASOS|14}} Tywin commands the host's right flank during the battle.{{Ref|ACOK|62}} Tywin's son Tyrion is critically wounded in the fighting.{{ref|ACOK|67}}

−

{{Quote|'''Tyrion:''' Could the [[House Westerling|Westerlings]] and [[House Spicer|Spicers]] be such great fools as to believe [[House Stark|the wolf]] can defeat [[House Lannister|the lion]]?<br>

+

Tywin is declared Savior of the City by King [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I Baratheon]], who asks his grandfather to take governance of the [[Seven Kingdoms]] as [[Hand of the King]].{{Ref|ACOK|65}} Tywin takes up residence in the [[Tower of the Hand]].{{ref|ACOK|67}}

−

'''Tywin:''' The greatest fools are ofttimes more clever than the men who laugh at them.{{Ref|aSoS|19}}}}

[[Robb Stark]] and Ser [[Brynden Tully]] return to [[Riverrun]]. They claim they had planned to lead Tywin's army on a long chase across the [[westerlands]], bleeding his forces and living off his lands, but that Ser [[Edmure Tully]] had disrupted their plan by stopping Tywin with the [[Battle of the Fords]].{{Ref|ASOS|14}}

−

{{Quote|There is a tool for every task, and a task for every tool.{{Ref|aSoS|32}}}} - Tywin to [[Tyrion Lannister]]

+

Fearing Tywin's retribution for the [[fall of Harrenhal]], [[Vargo Hoat]] has [[Zollo]] chop off the sword hand of Ser [[Jaime Lannister]],{{ref|ASOS|21}} hoping that this act will prevent his commander, Lord [[Roose Bolton]], from allying with Tywin in the aftermath of the [[Battle of the Blackwater]].{{ref|ASOS|37}}

+

Tywin's timely arrival at the Blackwater allows him to take the majority of the credit for the Lannister victory. He appoints Ser [[Addam Marbrand]] to lead the [[gold cloaks]] and tasks him with finding the missing [[Tyrek Lannister]].{{ref|ASOS|4}} Tyrion asks to be named heir since Jaime is ineligible as a [[Kingsguard]], but Tywin refuses to allow his dwarf son to inherit [[Casterly Rock]].{{ref|ASOS|4}} He instead gives Tyrion, after his recovery, the position of [[master of coin]], which Tyrion sees as a demotion and an insult.{{ref|ASOS|19}}

−

{{Quote|When your enemies defy you, you must serve them steel and fire. When they go to their knees, however, you must help them back to their feet. Elsewise no man will ever bend the knee to you. And any man who must say ‘I am the king’ is no true king at all. [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys]] never understood that, but you will. When I’ve won [[War of the Five Kings|your war]] for you, we will restore the king’s peace and the king’s justice.{{ref|aSoS|53}}}}

+

Tywin arranges for Tyrion to be wed to [[Sansa Stark]]{{Ref|ASOS|19}} before she can be betrothed to [[Willas Tyrell]], giving him claim over [[Winterfell]] and directly denying Tyrion's ambition to inherit the Rock.{{Ref|ASOS|4}} He also makes plans to find a suitor to marry his widowed daughter, Queen Regent [[Cersei Lannister]], though they are never realized. Tywin offers her to Willas but Lord [[Mace Tyrell]], after being hectored by his mother, [[Olenna Tyrell]], refuses the match. Tywin demands that Tyrion act as if the offer were never made.{{Ref|ASOS|32}}

−

— Tywin to [[Joffrey Baratheon]]

+

After learning that Robb Stark has unexpectedly wed [[Jeyne Westerling]] and that [[House Westerling]] has gone over to the [[House Stark|Starks]], Tywin remains in communication, via [[raven]], with Jeyne's mother, [[Sybell Spicer]]. He also communicates with Lord Bolton, who releases the mutilated Jaime from captivity,{{ref|ASOS|44}} and Lord [[Walder Frey]], who sees Robb's marriage to Jeyne as an insult to [[House Frey]], as it breaks a marriage pact Robb had previously made to wed a Frey girl. The [[Red Wedding]] is the direct result of their correspondence, which sees Robb betrayed and murdered along with the vast majority of his host, effectively ending the war with House Lannister the victor.{{ref|ASOS|51}}{{ref|ASOS|53}}

−

{{Quote|I did not fight [[War of the Five Kings|a war]] to seat [[Robert Baratheon|Robert]] the Second on the [[Iron Throne]].{{ref|aSoS|53}}}} - Tywin to [[Cersei Lannister]]

+

Tywin names Roose as [[Warden of the North]].{{ref|ASOS|72}} While Tywin offers generous terms to defeated rebel lords, he orders [[Gregor Clegane]] to extinguish Vargo and the [[Brave Companions]] at [[capture of Harrenhal|Harrenhal]].{{ref|ASOS|53}} Prince [[Oberyn Martell]] seeks justice for the death of his sister, [[Elia Martell]], and her children during the [[Sack of King's Landing]], so Tywin claims that the late Ser [[Amory Lorch]] was solely to blame.{{ref|ASOS|53}}

+

Tywin Lannister has [[Tobho Mott]] reforge [[Ice]], the [[Valyrian steel]] greatsword of the late Lord [[Eddard Stark]], into two longswords as gifts, [[Widow's Wail|one]] for Joffrey on his wedding day and [[Oathkeeper|the other]] to Jaime.{{Ref|aSoS|32}} Not long after, King Joffrey is poisoned and dies at [[Purple Wedding|the feast following his wedding]] to [[Margaery Tyrell]]. Cersei accuses Tyrion of murder,{{ref|ASOS|60}} although the crime was actually arranged by Olenna and [[Petyr Baelish]].{{ref|ASOS|68}} When Jaime returns to King's Landing in the company of [[Brienne of Tarth]], Tywin plans for his son to be released from the Kingsguard. Jaime insists upon remaining [[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard|Lord Commander]], however, angering his father.{{ref|ASOS|62}}

−

{{Quote|You are not my son. You say you are the [[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard]], and only that. Very well, ser. Go do your duty.{{Ref|aSoS|62}}}}

+

Tywin agrees to be one of Tyrion's three judges, alongside Oberyn Martell and Mace Tyrell, at the trial for Joffrey's murder.{{ref|ASOS|66}} When it becomes clear that he is going to be found guilty, Tyrion demands [[trial by combat]], and Oberyn volunteers to champion him, as he does not accept that only Amory was to blame in the Sack. Cersei, being Tyrion's accuser, selects Gregor to represent the crown. During the duel, Gregor roars his guilt in slaying Elia and her son, Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon]]. Despite being [[poison]]ed by Oberyn's spear, the Mountain slays the Red Viper, and Tyrion is thus found guilty.{{Ref|ASOS|70}}

−

— Tywin to [[Jaime Lannister]]

+

Because of Gregor's confession, Tywin fears [[Dorne]] might join [[Stannis Baratheon]], which could prolong the [[War of the Five Kings]] for years. He plans on having Gregor executed to appease [[House Martell]], but needs it to be seen to be the [[Ilyn Payne|King's Justice]] who carries out the deed, not poison. Tywin commands Grand Maester [[Pycelle]] to heal Gregor, but Pycelle's efforts prove fruitless.{{Ref|ASOS|72}}

−

{{Quote|'''Tywin:''' I suppose the steward sent her on her way. I never thought to inquire.<br>

+

Awaiting his sentencing, Tyrion is freed from the Red Keep's dungeon by Jaime and a reluctant [[Varys]]. Jaime admits that Tywin had forced him to claim that Tyrion's first wife, [[Tysha]], was a [[whore]]. Tyrion is enraged by this and has Varys show him to a ladder that leads directly into the [[Tower of the Hand]], Tywin's residence. When Tyrion finds his former lover [[Shae]] in Tywin's bed, wearing nothing but his father's golden chain of office, Tyrion strangles her to death with it. He then takes a crossbow from the wall and finds Tywin in the privy and confronts him about Tysha. Tywin remains belligerent, repeatedly calling her a whore, which Tyrion sees as the final insult. Tyrion shoots Tywin him through his bowels with the crossbow, and Tywin dies on the privy, his bowels loosening in the moment of death.{{ref|ASOS|77}}

After Tywin's body is discovered, it is prepared for a state burial. Queen Regent [[Cersei Lannister]] has the [[House Kettleblack|Kettleblacks]] remove the body of [[Shae]] and swears she will have the tongue removed of any man who mentions the whore was ever there.{{Ref|AFFC|3}} The remains of Lord Tywin are shown in his crimson armor for seven days in the [[Great Sept of Baelor]]. The smell of the body is so bad many of the mourners grow sick or faint from being too near. A drying of the mouth also causes Tywin's lips to curl up and make him appear to smile.{{ref|AFFC|7}}{{Ref|AFFC|8}} Six [[silent sisters]] eventually take his bones west with an entourage of knights and lords from the [[westerlands]].{{ref|AFFC|16}}

−

{{Quote|'''Tywin:''' You shot me.<br>

+

Cersei considers herself to be a worthy heir to Tywin.{{ref|AFFC|36}} She offers a [[lord]]ship to whomever brings her the head of Tywin's murderer, [[Tyrion Lannister]],{{ref|AFFC|7}} and she appoints Ser [[Harys Swyft]] as [[Hand of the King]].{{ref|AFFC|17}} Lord [[Gyles Rosby]] hires a stonecarver to make a statue of Tywin for the [[Lion Gate]]. Cersei consents to [[Alyce Graceford]] naming her child Tywin if she has a boy, but she refuses to allow [[Lollys Stokeworth]] to do the same.{{ref|AFFC|7}} One of [[Cersei's dromonds]] is named ''[[Lord Tywin]]''.{{ref|AFFC|28}}

−

'''Tyrion:''' You always were quick to grasp a situation, my lord, that must be why you’re the [[Hand of the King]].<br>

−

'''Tywin:''' You ... you are no ... no son of mine.<br>

−

'''Tyrion:''' Now that’s where you’re wrong, Father. Why, I believe I’m you writ small. Do me a kindness now, and die quickly. I have a ship to catch. {{Ref|asos|77}}}}

−

— Tywin and [[Tyrion Lannister]]

+

[[Doran Martell]], [[Prince of Dorne]], has been plotting vengeance against Tywin for the [[Sack of King's Landing]].{{ref|AFFC|40}}

With Tywin dead and the [[Seven Kingdoms]] in disarray, the [[Golden Company]] feels the time is right for [[landing of the Golden Company|their invasion]].{{ref|ADWD|24}} [[Jon Connington]] recalls the belief of Ser [[Myles Toyne]] that Tywin would have avoided the [[Battle of the Bells]] by simply burning down [[Stoney Sept]].{{ref|ADWD|61}}

−

==Quotes about Tywin==

+

==Quotes by Tywin==

−

{{Quote|I would sooner entrust a child to a pit viper than to Lord Tywin.{{Ref|aGoT|4}}}} — thoughts of [[Eddard Stark]]

+

[[File:Tywin Lannister3.png|thumb|350px|Charles Dance as Tywin in ''[[Game of Thrones]]'']]

+

{{Quote|Some battles are won with swords and spears, others with quills and ravens.{{Ref|ASOS|4}}|Tywin to [[Tyrion Lannister]]}}

+

{{Quote|The greatest [[fool]]s are ofttimes more clever than the men who laugh at them.{{Ref|ASOS|19}}|Tywin to [[Tyrion Lannister]]}}

−

{{Quote|A fool more foolish than most had once jested that even Lord Tywin’s shit was flecked with gold. Some said the man was still alive, deep in the bowels of [[Casterly Rock]].{{ref|AGOT|56}}}}

+

{{Quote|There is a tool for every task, and a task for every tool.{{Ref|ASOS|32}}|Tywin to [[Tyrion Lannister]]}}

−

— thoughts of [[Tyrion Lannister]]

+

{{Quote|Joffrey, when your enemies defy you, you must serve them steel and fire. When they go to their knees, however, you must help them back to their feet. Elsewise no man will ever bend the knee to you. And any man who must say 'I am the king' is no true king at all. [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys]] never understood that, but you will. When I've won [[War of the Five Kings|your war]] for you, we will restore the king's peace and the king's justice.{{Ref|ASOS|53}}|Tywin to [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I Baratheon]]}}

−

{{Quote|Every once in a very long while, Lord Tywin Lannister would actually threaten to smile; he never did, but the threat alone was terrible to behold.{{Ref|aSoS|19}}}}

+

{{Quote|'''Tyrion''': [[Tysha]]. What did you do with her, after my little lesson?<br>

−

— thoughts of [[Tyrion Lannister]]

+

'''Tywin''': I don't recall.<br>

+

'''Tyrion''': Try harder. Did you have her killed?<br>

+

'''Tywin''': There was no reason for that, she'd learned her place ... and had been well paid for her day's work, I seem to recall. I suppose the steward sent her on her way. I never thought to inquire.<br>

'''Tyrion''': Now that's where you’re wrong, Father. Why, I believe I'm you writ small. Do me a kindness now, and die quickly.{{Ref|ASOS|77}}|Tywin and [[Tyrion Lannister]]}}

−

{{Quote|'''Joffrey:''' You talk about [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys]], Grandfather, but you were scared of him.<br>

+

{{Quote|No man is free. Only children and [[fool]]s think elsewise.{{Ref|ADWD|8}}|Tywin to [[Tyrion Lannister]]}}

−

'''Cersei:''' Joffrey, apologize to your grandfather.<br>

−

'''Joffrey:''' Why should I? Everyone knows it’s true. [[Robert Baratheon|My father]] won all the battles. He killed Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar]] and took the crown, while '''your''' father was hiding under [[Casterly Rock]].{{Ref|aSoS|53}}}}

−

— [[Joffrey Baratheon]] and [[Cersei Lannister]]

+

==Quotes about Tywin==

+

{{Quote|I would sooner entrust a child to a pit viper than to Lord Tywin.{{Ref|AGOT|4}}|[[Eddard Stark]]'s thoughts}}

−

{{Quote|'''Kevan:''' Tywin seems a hard man to you, but he's no harder than he's had to be. [[Tytos Lannister|Our own father]] was gentle and amiable, but so weak his bannermen mocked him in their cups. [[Reyne-Tarbeck Rebellion|Some saw fit to defy him openly]]. Other lords borrowed his gold and never troubled to repay it. At court they japed of toothless lions. Even his own mistress stole from him. A woman scarcely one step above a whore, and she helped herself to my mother's jewels! It fell to Tywin to restore [[House Lannister]] to its proper place. Just as it fell to him to rule this realm, when he was no more than twenty. He bore that heavy burden for twenty years and all it earned him was [[Aerys II Targaryen|a mad king]]'s envy. Instead of the honor he deserved, he was made to suffer slights beyond count, yet he gave the [[Seven Kingdoms]] peace, plenty and justice. He is a just man.<br>

+

{{quote|Tywin Lannister was as much fox as lion.{{ref|AGOT|43}}|[[Eddard Stark]]'s thoughts}}

−

'''Tyrion:''' You love him.<br>

−

'''Kevan:''' He is my brother.{{Ref|aSOS|66}}}}

−

— [[Kevan Lannister]] and [[Tyrion Lannister]]

+

{{Quote|A fool more foolish than most had once jested that even Lord Tywin's shit was flecked with gold. Some said the man was still alive, deep in the bowels of [[Casterly Rock]].{{Ref|AGOT|56}}|[[Tyrion Lannister]]'s thoughts}}

{{Quote|Every once in a very long while, Lord Tywin Lannister would actually threaten to smile; he never did, but the threat alone was terrible to behold.{{Ref|ASOS|19}}|[[Tyrion Lannister]]'s thoughts}}

+

{{quote|'''Oberyn''': Lord Tywin had made himself greater than King [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys]], I heard one [[begging brother]] preach, but only a god is meant to stand above a king. You were his curse, a punishment sent by the gods to teach him that he was no better than any other man.<br>

+

'''Tyrion''': I try, but he refuses to learn.{{ref|ASOS|38}}|[[Oberyn Martell]] and [[Tyrion Lannister]]}}

−

{{Quote|I have served six kings, but here before us lies the greatest man I ever knew. Lord Tywin wore no crown, yet he was all a king should be.{{ref|aFfC|8}}}}

+

{{Quote|I remember the first time [[Steffon Baratheon|my father]] took me to court, [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]] had to hold my hand. I could not have been older than four, which would have made him five or six. We agreed afterward that the king had been as noble as the [[dragon]]s were fearsome. Years later, our father told us that [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys]] had cut himself on [[Iron Throne|the throne]] that morning, so his [[Hand of the King|Hand]] had taken his place. It was Tywin Lannister who'd so impressed us.{{Ref|ASOS|54}}|[[Stannis Baratheon]] to [[Melisandre]]}}

−

— [[Pycelle]] at Tywin's funeral

+

{{Quote|'''Kevan''': Tywin seems a hard man to you, but he's no harder than he's had to be. [[Tytos Lannister|Our own father]] was gentle and amiable, but so weak his bannermen mocked him in their cups. [[Reyne-Tarbeck revolt|Some saw fit to defy him openly]]. Other lords borrowed his gold and never troubled to repay it. At court they japed of toothless lions. Even [[Tytos Lannister's second mistress|his own mistress]] stole from him. A woman scarcely one step above a [[whore]], and she helped herself to [[Jeyne Marbrand|my mother's]] jewels! It fell to Tywin to restore [[House Lannister]] to its proper place. Just as it fell to him to rule [[Seven Kingdoms|this realm]], when he was no more than twenty. He bore that heavy burden for twenty years and all it earned him was [[Aerys II Targaryen|a mad king]]'s envy. Instead of the honor he deserved, he was made to suffer slights beyond count, yet he gave the [[Seven Kingdoms]] peace, plenty and justice. He is a just man.<br>

+

'''Tyrion''': You love him.<br>

+

'''Kevan''': He is my brother.{{Ref|ASOS|66}}|[[Kevan Lannister]] and [[Tyrion Lannister]]}}

−

{{Quote|Men say Tywin never smiled, but he smiled when he wed [[Joanna Lannister|your mother]], and when [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys]] made him [[Hand of the King|Hand]]. When [[Tarbeck Hall]] came crashing down on [[Ellyn Tarbeck|Lady Ellyn]], that scheming bitch, [[Tygett Lannister|Tyg]] claimed he smiled then, and he smiled at your birth, Jaime, I saw with my own eyes.{{ref|AFFC|33}}}}

{{quote|It is not fitting for Tywin Lannister to die alone. Such a man deserves a retinue to attend his needs in hell.{{ref|AFFC|3}}|[[Cersei Lannister]]'s thoughts}}

−

{{Quote|I was seven when [[Walder Frey]] persuaded [[Tytos Lannister|my lord father]] to give my hand to [[Emmon Frey|Emm]]. His ''second'' son, not even his heir. Father was himself a thirdborn son, and younger children crave the approval of their elders. Frey sensed that weakness in him, and Father agreed for no better reason than to please him. My betrothal was announced at a feast with half [[Westerlands|the west]] in attendance. [[Ellyn Tarbeck]] laughed and the [[Red Lion of Castamere|Red Lion]] went angry from the hall. The rest sat on their tongues. Only Tywin dared speak against the match. A boy of ten. Father turned as white as mare's milk, and Walder Frey was '''quivering'''. How could I not love him after that? That is not to say I approved of all he did, or much enjoyed the company of the man he became ... but every little girl needs a big brother to protect her. Tywin was big even when he was little.{{Ref|aFfC|33}}}}

+

{{Quote|I have served six kings, but here before us lies the greatest man I ever knew. Lord Tywin wore no crown, yet he was all a king should be.{{Ref|AFFC|8}}|[[Pycelle]] to [[Jaime Lannister]]}}

−

— [[Genna Lannister]] to [[Jaime Lannister]]

+

{{Quote|Men say Tywin never smiled, but he smiled when he wed [[Joanna Lannister|your mother]], and when [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys]] made him [[Hand of the King|Hand]]. When [[Tarbeck Hall]] came crashing down on [[Ellyn Tarbeck|Lady Ellyn]], that scheming bitch, [[Tygett Lannister|Tyg]] claimed he smiled then, and he smiled at your birth, Jaime, I saw with my own eyes.{{Ref|AFFC|33}}|[[Genna Lannister]] to [[Jaime Lannister]]}}

−

{{Quote|Are you down in some hell, Father? A nice cold hell where you can look up and see me help restore [[Aerys II Targaryen|Mad Aerys's]] [[Daenerys Targaryen|daughter]] to the [[Iron Throne]]?{{Ref|aDwD|5}}}}

+

{{Quote|My betrothal was announced at a feast with half [[westerlands|the west]] in attendance. [[Ellyn Tarbeck]] laughed and the [[Roger Reyne|Red Lion]] went angry from the hall. The rest sat on their tongues. Only Tywin dared speak against [[Emmon Frey|the match]]. A boy of ten. [[Tytos Lannister|Father]] turned as white as mare's milk, and [[Walder Frey]] was quivering. How could I not love him after that? That is not to say I approved of all he did, or much enjoyed the company of the man he became ... but every little girl needs a big brother to protect her. Tywin was big even when he was little.{{Ref|AFFC|33}}|[[Genna Lannister]] to [[Jaime Lannister]]}}

−

— [[Tyrion Lannister]]

==Family==

==Family==

−

Tywin married his cousin [[Joanna Lannister]], with whom he had three children: [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]], [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] and [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]]. Joanna died when giving birth to Tyrion. It is unknown why Tywin named his first son Jaime, after no one known, and gave the traditional Lannister prefix of "Ty" to his deformed second son, Tyrion.

+

Tywin married his cousin [[Joanna Lannister]], with whom he had three children: [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]], [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] and [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]]. Joanna died when giving birth to Tyrion.{{ref|ASOS|4}}

{{Lannister tree}}

{{Lannister tree}}

−

+

==References==

−

==References and Notes==

{{references|3}}

{{references|3}}

{{EnWP|House Lannister|small=yes}}

{{EnWP|House Lannister|small=yes}}

−

{{Template:Hands of the King}}

+

+

==External links==

+

* [http://gameofthrones.wikia.com/wiki/Tywin_Lannister Tywin Lannister] on the [http://gameofthrones.wikia.com/wiki/Main Game of Thrones wiki].

+

+

+

{{Lords of Casterly Rock}}

+

{{Hands of the King}}

+

{{Small council}}

+

[[Category:House Lannister]]

[[Category:House Lannister]]

+

[[Category:Casualties of the War of the Five Kings|Lannister, Tywin]]

[[Category:Characters from the Westerlands|Lannister, Tywin]]

[[Category:Characters from the Westerlands|Lannister, Tywin]]

+

[[Category:Characters killed by Tyrion Lannister|Lannister, Tywin]]

+

[[Category:Cupbearers|Lannister, Tywin]]

+

[[Category:Hands of the King|Lannister, Tywin]]

+

[[Category:Knights|Lannister, Tywin]]

+

[[Category:Lords of Casterly Rock]]

+

[[Category:Members of Aegon V Targaryen's court|Lannister, Tywin]]

+

[[Category:Members of Aerys II Targaryen's court|Lannister, Tywin]]

+

[[Category:Members of Joffrey I Baratheon's court|Lannister, Tywin]]

+

[[Category:Members of Tommen I Baratheon's court|Lannister, Tywin]]

[[Category:Nobles|Lannister, Tywin]]

[[Category:Nobles|Lannister, Tywin]]

−

[[Category:Hand of the King|Lannister, Tywin]]

+

[[Category:Pages|Lannister, Tywin]]

−

[[Category:Members of the Small council|Lannister, Tywin]]

+

[[Category:Rebels of Robert's Rebellion|Lannister, Tywin]]

−

[[Category:Warden]]

+

[[Category:Supporters of Joffrey Baratheon in the War of the Five Kings|Lannister, Tywin]]

+

[[Category:Supporters of Tommen Baratheon in the War of the Five Kings|Lannister, Tywin]]

+

[[Category:Veterans of Greyjoy's Rebellion|Lannister, Tywin]]

+

[[Category:Veterans of Robert's Rebellion|Lannister, Tywin]]

+

[[Category:Veterans of the War of the Ninepenny Kings|Lannister, Tywin]]

Appearance and Character

Tywin is a tall, slender, broad-shouldered man in his fifties. His arms are thin but muscled. Tywin has kept his head shaved ever since his golden hair[10] started going bald, but he grows out bushy golden side-whiskers. Tywin has pale green eyes flecked with gold.[3][11][12][13]

Tywin is a calculating, intelligent, politically astute, ruthless, and controlling man. He dedicates his life and efforts towards maintaining the Lannisters' prestige, and ensuring House Lannister is respected, or at least feared.[14] Tywin is a proven battle commander[15] who leads from the rear,[16][17][18] and he has a powerful presence combined with an intimidating gaze.[19] He is harsh with betrayal.[20] According to his sister Genna, Tywin mistrusts laughter because of how his father, Lord Tytos, had been laughed at.[21]

Though ruthless, Tywin Lannister is an able and shrewd ruler who brought great prosperity during his tenure as the King's Hand. He is especially talented at the raising of funds, leading to a persistent jest that he must "shit gold."[11] Tywin is more respected than loved in the westerlands, and he is remembered in King's Landing for the Sack.[22]

Tywin loves his elder children, Queen Cersei and Ser Jaime, but despises Tyrion. This is partly because Tyrion is a dwarf, but also Tywin blames his youngest son for causing his beloved wife Joanna's death during his birth, as well as for shaming the family name with his frequent whoring. Tywin often relies on his brother, Ser Kevan Lannister.[23][21] Ser Addam Marbrand is said to be Tywin's most daring commander.[24] Genna's husband, Emmon Frey, is terrified of his brother-in-law.[25][21]

Tywin's steel plate armor is enameled in deep crimson and highlighted with gold, and its rondels are golden sunburts. Tywin's heavy cloth-of-gold greatcloak is clasped with gold miniature lionesses, and his greathelm is decorated with a roaring lion with ruby eyes.[16][4] He also owns a thick ermine cloak.[24] Tywin's longsword has a gold pommel.[11] His charger is a stallion[16] with its own gilded armor.[4] The destrier has a blanket with enameled crimson scales and gilded crinet and chamfron,[24] as well as crimson silk bardings decorated with the lion of the Lannisters.[4]

Lord Tytos agreed to marry his daughter Genna to Emmon Frey, the second son of Lord Walder Frey, just to please the Lord of the Crossing. The betrothal was announced at a feast in 252 AC, with most of the western lords in attendance. Upon the announcement, Lord Roger Reyne left the hall in anger and Ellyn Reyne laughed aloud. Only the ten-year-old Tywin spoke out against the wedding because he thought it an uneven match.[26]

During the War of the Ninepenny Kings in 260 AC, eleven thousand westermen under the leadership Tywin's uncle, Ser Jason Lannister, were sent to fight beside other forces of the Iron Throne in the Stepstones. Tywin, who was already a knight, joined the Lannister force, as did his brothers Kevan and Tygett as squires. The young Prince Aerys served as a squire during the war and when he won his knighthood, Tywin was granted the honor of knighting his friend.[5]

Late in 261 AC Tywin provoked Houses Reyne and Tarbeck by ordering that Roger and Walderan appear at Casterly Rock to answer for their crimes. When the accused instead renounced their allegiance to House Lannister, Tywin raised an army without his lordly father's leave. Tywin defeated Walderan in battle and then destroyed Tarbeck Hall, with Ellyn dying during its collapse. Tywin then defeated Roger, who fled back to Castamere. Instead of waiting for the subterranean castle to surrender, Tywin ended the Reyne-Tarbeck revolt by diverting a nearby stream into Castamere, drowning the Reynes within.[10]

The ruined castles were left as reminders of the fate that awaits those who scorn the power of Casterly Rock,[28] and "The Rains of Castamere" was written as a tribute to the event.[28] When Lord Farman of Faircastle grew truculent years later, Tywin had an envoy perform the song with a lute; Lord Farman caused no further trouble after hearing the message.[28]

Relations were frayed between the king and his Hand when they returned to King's Landing in 268 AC, and Aerys began to overrule many of Tywin's decisions and appointments. Tywin offered to resign after Aerys insulted Joanna at the Anniversary Tourney in 272 AC, but Aerys refused the resignation.[5] Disaster struck in 273 AC when Joanna died giving birth to Tyrion, a dwarf considered a hideous monster. Tywin was devastated by her untimely death and took no further wife. Gerion Lannister once told his nephew Tyrion that the best part of Tywin died when Joanna did,[33] and Tywin has blamed Tyrion for Joanna's death.[12]

Some people joked it was Tywin and not the king who really ruled the land.[5] When Ser Ilyn Payne, the captain of Tywin's guards, made such a comment, Aerys had the knight's tongue removed.[34] Tywin once visited Lys while serving as Hand.[35]

During the tournament in honor of Viserys's birth in Lannisport in 276 AC, the smallfolk of Lannisport cheered twice as loud for Tywin as they did for their king. Tension increased during the tourney when Aerys refused Tywin's offer to betroth Cersei to his heir, Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, as Aerys considered Tywin to be a servant.[36] Aerys also refused to allow Jaime to serve as Rhaegar's squire.[5]

In 277 AC, Tywin advised Aerys against meeting with Denys Darklyn, Lord of Duskendale, over a trade issue, and the king ended up imprisoned by House Darklyn in the Dun Fort. In response to the Defiance of Duskendale, Tywin blockaded the town by land and sea. Tywin eventually threatened to storm the town, but Barristan of the Kingsguard was able to infiltrate Duskendale and rescue the king, however.[5]

In the aftermath of his captivity, Aerys came to believe that Tywin had intended for the king to die at Duskendale and be replaced by Rhaegar, who would then marry Tywin's daughter, Cersei. When Steffon Baratheon drowned in the sinking of Windproud in Shipbreaker Bay, Aerys feared that the Lord of Storm's End had somehow been assassinated by Tywin. Aerys decided to only meet with Tywin in the presence of Kingsguard.[5]

Recent History

When Tywin discovered his son Tyrion had wed a common girl, Tysha, which in Tywin's eyes would make House Lannister a laughingstock again, Tywin taught him a sharp lesson. He commanded Tyrion's older brother, Ser Jaime, to name Tysha a prostitute and made Tyrion watch as Tywin gave her over to his garrison, having each man pay the girl a silver coin after raping her. He forced Tyrion to do the same but pay Tysha a gold coin.[45] Tywin earned the enmity of his son forever for that act, but Tywin did not care, for it was on his other children that he placed all his hopes.[5]

When Tyrion was turning sixteen, Tywin refused to allow him to travel and see the world as Tywin's brothers had in their youth, fearing Tyrion would bring further shame on House Lannister. Tywin instead put his son in charge of the drains and cisterns of Casterly Rock.[13]

Due to Robert's financial mismanagement of the realm, as well as his own new connection to the throne by marriage, Lord Tywin frequently lent money to the crown, placing the court in King's Landing in debt of over three million gold dragons to House Lannister.[50] Tywin was unsuccessful in three attempts to purchase Valyrian steel longswords from impoverished lesser houses.[23]

Tywin commands the reserve from the high ground during the battle on the Green Fork. He has Tyrion and his clansmen serve on the left flank, believing the undisciplined men likely to rout, but giving the northern commander, whom Tywin believes to be the young and inexperienced Robb Stark, a chance to over-commit and be annihilated.[16] The clansmen do not rout, however, and the northern commander is actually the cautious and experienced Lord Roose Bolton. The battle is a Lannister victory, but it buys enough time for a separate northern force under Robb's command to cross the Green Fork at the Twins.[16] Although Tywin leads his host on a forced march south,[57] Robb captures Jaime in the Whispering Wood and lifts the siege of Riverrun with the Battle of the Camps.[58][57]

Tywin holds a war council of his bannermen at the crossroads inn after learning of Jaime's defeat, and he considers Joffrey's execution of Eddard Stark in the capital to be madness. Tywin sends Tyrion to King's Landing to serve as Hand in his stead, control the small council and Joffrey, and to prepare the city's defenses in anticipation of an attack from one or both of Robert's brothers, Stannis and Renly. Tywin forbids his son from bringing the whore Shae with him, however. Meanwhile, Tywin plans to march to Harrenhal to manage the war with the north and the riverlands. Tywin has Kevan arrange for the riverlands to be reaved by Gregor Clegane, Amory Lorch, and Vargo Hoat.[57]

Ser Edmure Tully, who has been tasked with holding Riverrun and guarding Robb's rear, gathers the riverlords to prevent Tywin from crossing the Red Fork. Edmure hopes to trap Tywin between Riverrun and Harrenhal.[61] Tywin's forces are bloodied in the Battle of the Fords and thrown back,[42] but the delay allows word to reach Tywin that Stannis has unexpectedly[64] taken formidable Storm's End and laid claim to much of Renly's army, and that he is marching and sailing on King's Landing with an enormous force.[68][65]

Tywin turns his host southeast on a forced march to the headwaters of the Blackwater Rush, where he meets Lords Mathis Rowan and Randyll Tarly of the newly-allied Reach. They then join with the forces of Lord Mace Tyrell at Tumbler's Falls.[69] Sailing together on barges down the Blackwater, the Lannisters and Tyrells arrive in time for the waning moments of the Battle of the Blackwater, where they break and drive away the majority of Stannis's army, which had been on the cusp of victory, by taking them in the flank.[69] Tywin commands the host's right flank during the battle.[70] Tywin's son Tyrion is critically wounded in the fighting.[71]

Tywin's timely arrival at the Blackwater allows him to take the majority of the credit for the Lannister victory. He appoints Ser Addam Marbrand to lead the gold cloaks and tasks him with finding the missing Tyrek Lannister.[12] Tyrion asks to be named heir since Jaime is ineligible as a Kingsguard, but Tywin refuses to allow his dwarf son to inherit Casterly Rock.[12] He instead gives Tyrion, after his recovery, the position of master of coin, which Tyrion sees as a demotion and an insult.[28]

Tywin arranges for Tyrion to be wed to Sansa Stark[28] before she can be betrothed to Willas Tyrell, giving him claim over Winterfell and directly denying Tyrion's ambition to inherit the Rock.[12] He also makes plans to find a suitor to marry his widowed daughter, Queen Regent Cersei Lannister, though they are never realized. Tywin offers her to Willas but Lord Mace Tyrell, after being hectored by his mother, Olenna Tyrell, refuses the match. Tywin demands that Tyrion act as if the offer were never made.[23]

After learning that Robb Stark has unexpectedly wed Jeyne Westerling and that House Westerling has gone over to the Starks, Tywin remains in communication, via raven, with Jeyne's mother, Sybell Spicer. He also communicates with Lord Bolton, who releases the mutilated Jaime from captivity,[38] and Lord Walder Frey, who sees Robb's marriage to Jeyne as an insult to House Frey, as it breaks a marriage pact Robb had previously made to wed a Frey girl. The Red Wedding is the direct result of their correspondence, which sees Robb betrayed and murdered along with the vast majority of his host, effectively ending the war with House Lannister the victor.[73][43]

Tywin agrees to be one of Tyrion's three judges, alongside Oberyn Martell and Mace Tyrell, at the trial for Joffrey's murder.[31] When it becomes clear that he is going to be found guilty, Tyrion demands trial by combat, and Oberyn volunteers to champion him, as he does not accept that only Amory was to blame in the Sack. Cersei, being Tyrion's accuser, selects Gregor to represent the crown. During the duel, Gregor roars his guilt in slaying Elia and her son, Prince Aegon. Despite being poisoned by Oberyn's spear, the Mountain slays the Red Viper, and Tyrion is thus found guilty.[78]

Awaiting his sentencing, Tyrion is freed from the Red Keep's dungeon by Jaime and a reluctant Varys. Jaime admits that Tywin had forced him to claim that Tyrion's first wife, Tysha, was a whore. Tyrion is enraged by this and has Varys show him to a ladder that leads directly into the Tower of the Hand, Tywin's residence. When Tyrion finds his former lover Shae in Tywin's bed, wearing nothing but his father's golden chain of office, Tyrion strangles her to death with it. He then takes a crossbow from the wall and finds Tywin in the privy and confronts him about Tysha. Tywin remains belligerent, repeatedly calling her a whore, which Tyrion sees as the final insult. Tyrion shoots Tywin him through his bowels with the crossbow, and Tywin dies on the privy, his bowels loosening in the moment of death.[8]

A Feast for Crows

After Tywin's body is discovered, it is prepared for a state burial. Queen Regent Cersei Lannister has the Kettleblacks remove the body of Shae and swears she will have the tongue removed of any man who mentions the whore was ever there.[30] The remains of Lord Tywin are shown in his crimson armor for seven days in the Great Sept of Baelor. The smell of the body is so bad many of the mourners grow sick or faint from being too near. A drying of the mouth also causes Tywin's lips to curl up and make him appear to smile.[19][22] Six silent sisters eventually take his bones west with an entourage of knights and lords from the westerlands.[79]

Joffrey, when your enemies defy you, you must serve them steel and fire. When they go to their knees, however, you must help them back to their feet. Elsewise no man will ever bend the knee to you. And any man who must say 'I am the king' is no true king at all. Aerys never understood that, but you will. When I've won your war for you, we will restore the king's peace and the king's justice.[43]

Tywin: I don't recall.Tyrion: Try harder. Did you have her killed?Tywin: There was no reason for that, she'd learned her place ... and had been well paid for her day's work, I seem to recall. I suppose the steward sent her on her way. I never thought to inquire.Tyrion: On her way where?

Oberyn: Lord Tywin had made himself greater than King Aerys, I heard one begging brother preach, but only a god is meant to stand above a king. You were his curse, a punishment sent by the gods to teach him that he was no better than any other man.Tyrion: I try, but he refuses to learn.[33]

I remember the first time my father took me to court, Robert had to hold my hand. I could not have been older than four, which would have made him five or six. We agreed afterward that the king had been as noble as the dragons were fearsome. Years later, our father told us that Aerys had cut himself on the throne that morning, so his Hand had taken his place. It was Tywin Lannister who'd so impressed us.[87]

Kevan: Tywin seems a hard man to you, but he's no harder than he's had to be. Our own father was gentle and amiable, but so weak his bannermen mocked him in their cups. Some saw fit to defy him openly. Other lords borrowed his gold and never troubled to repay it. At court they japed of toothless lions. Even his own mistress stole from him. A woman scarcely one step above a whore, and she helped herself to my mother's jewels! It fell to Tywin to restore House Lannister to its proper place. Just as it fell to him to rule this realm, when he was no more than twenty. He bore that heavy burden for twenty years and all it earned him was a mad king's envy. Instead of the honor he deserved, he was made to suffer slights beyond count, yet he gave the Seven Kingdoms peace, plenty and justice. He is a just man.

Men say Tywin never smiled, but he smiled when he wed your mother, and when Aerys made him Hand. When Tarbeck Hall came crashing down on Lady Ellyn, that scheming bitch, Tyg claimed he smiled then, and he smiled at your birth, Jaime, I saw with my own eyes.[21]

My betrothal was announced at a feast with half the west in attendance. Ellyn Tarbeck laughed and the Red Lion went angry from the hall. The rest sat on their tongues. Only Tywin dared speak against the match. A boy of ten. Father turned as white as mare's milk, and Walder Frey was quivering. How could I not love him after that? That is not to say I approved of all he did, or much enjoyed the company of the man he became ... but every little girl needs a big brother to protect her. Tywin was big even when he was little.[21]